GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. -- "We beat them up with a hammer first," said Bill Hallman of Gwinnett County's Department of Water Resources. "And then we take and crush them down even further."

Just the thought will make anyone say "Woo!"

And that's just the beginning of the...more process when it comes to recycling toilets in Gwinnett County.

"Then we go in there and we pull out all the plastic in the seats," Hallman said.

The warehouse manager for the county's Department of Water Resources told 11Alive News the toilets are broken down into tons of of pieces of porcelain - then used for a little bit of everything from porcelain chips to brand new kitchen counter tops.

Hallman says everyone turns out a winner in the end.

"Recycling it, it's going to be used constructively, so everybody wins," said Hallman. "We're looking to save the county money. We're looking to make good usage of our water."

That's just some of the reasons

BUFORD, Ga. -- DealChicken enjoys a clean nest, and with today's deal, you can too!
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Atlanta-area mommies of all ages are invited to take a night off and celebrate national Mom’s Nite Out at Mall of Georgia on Thursday, May 10. They will have the chance to enjoy an evening of pampering, refreshments and entertainment while mixing and mingling with other moms just like...more them!
From 5-8 p.m., moms are invited to have fun at their favorite local shopping destination while enjoying samples and giveaways from an exciting lineup of vendors including Diet Coke, Dove Body Wash, Little Black Dress Vodka, StriVectin and VISIT FLORIDA. The evening will support the national organization Dress for Success, and event attendees will have the opportunity to win one of several prizes including a little black dress from Cynthia Rowley’s runway collection, a $500 Simon American Express Giftcard and an exclusive vacation from VISIT FLORIDA. 
For more information, please visit Mall of Georgia's Facebook event page: http://on.fb.me/MOGmno

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. -- A mariachi band greeted customers at Tower Wine & Spirits on the first day of Sunday alcohol sales in unincorporated DeKalb County.

"I can't tell you how many times on Sunday I haven't had anything to drink and realized I can't buy anything," said customer Thom...more Abbott. "Now it's great. If you forget or have a barbecue and run out, you can go get something."  

DeKalb voters approved Sunday sales by 72 percent in March, months after dozens of other cities across metro Atlanta had already started selling.

At the Tower store in Atlanta, there's been a boost to the bottom line.

"It has been positive for our sales and positive for our profit, as well," said Tower General Manager David Greenbaum.

Several metro cities report a bump in alcohol-related sales tax revenues. Aside from Sunday sales, the improving economy could also play a role. 

Sunday sales started in Gwinnett County this week as

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. -- An airport citizens review committee voted Monday against privatizing or commercializing the Gwinnett County airport, reports the Gwinnett Daily Post. The committee's vote was due to the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners on May 8.

The vote was led by...more members who have protested a proposal to add commercial flights at Briscoe Field. That lead to a split vote on the majority of measures considered by the group -- with six members voting in favor and five abstaining, the newspaper reported. Some members of the committee were bothered by what they saw as a rush to vote and said they would have liked more time before a decision was made.

The recommendation will be made to the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners, which will have the final say. Commissioners have also been split on the issue.

The citizens board said if the privatization or commercialization is approved by Gwinnett officials, they recommend a "full and exhaustive

WATERFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- The second of three young men wanted in connection with a shooting that wounded five people at a southeast Michigan roller skating rink in December has been arrested in Georgia.

Waterford Township Police said in a statement that 21-year-old Tre-Andis...more Jamison of Pontiac is being held in Gwinnett County after being taken into custody there Monday by the FBI. He was named earlier this year in a warrant on assault with intent to murder, conspiracy and firearm possession charges.

Police said the Dec. 23 shooting at the Rolladium Skating Center in Waterford Township involved two rival Pontiac gangs. About 290 people were inside the rink, about 25 miles northwest of Detroit.

A 17-year-old was arrested in January in the case. Investigators are still searching for 18-year-old Robert Lee German.

BUFORD, Ga. -- A 59-year-old man was killed and a woman was seriously injured when their boat was struck by a 21-foot ski boat in Lake Lanier off East Bank Park early Sunday morning.

Stephen Blake Jones of Duluth was killed, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources....more The woman's name has not been released. She remains hospitalized with injuries.

The occupants of the second boat, Steven Parker, 32, and Ashley LeBlanc, 30, both of Cumming, swam from their damaged ski boat to shore and flagged down a motorist for help. Parker and LeBlanc were treated at a local hospital and released.

Gwinnett County firefighters responded to the scene after receiving a 911 call from a driver who was flagged down on Buford Dam Road.

According to fire officials, Parker and LeBlanc were crossing the lake just after midnight when they struck Jones' pontoon boat in the water.

Rescue Boats from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources,

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. -- Gwinnett County Police have located a 14-year-old who ran away from his mother's home Saturday morning. 

Michael Angelo Paul was last seen at around 1 a.m. Saturday, leaving the home in his mother's gold Honda Accord. 

He was located by the Snellville Police Department and was turned over to the Alternative Youth Academy on Wednesday.

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. -- More than 100 high school students from Gwinnett County were selected for the 2012 Georgia Governor's Honors Program.
This prestigious program gives Georgia's best and brightest students the opportunity to spend four weeks pursuing their passions in a challenging,...more learning-centric environment.
Gwinnett students make up a whopping 15 percent of those chosen to participate.
"Governor's Honors is such a competitive program that even being nominated is an accomplishment," Dale Lyles, director of the program, said in a statement. "I congratulate the students of Gwinnett County Public Schools and look forward to meeting them and their parents in June."
Gwinnett's Governor's Honors finalists include:
Berkmar High School
* Adila Abdulwahid, communicative arts
* Eden Hailemichael, communicative arts
Brookwood High School
* Anthony Kelly-Taylor, music (voice)
* Naana Obeng-Marnu, chemistry
* Ryan Whitfield, music (string

BUFORD, Ga. (WXIA) - Two people were killed in a multi-vehicle accident on Interstate 985 southbound at Buford Drive Friday afternoon.

PHOTOS | Multi-vehicle fatal wreck on I-985

Gwinnett County Police Corporal Jake Smith said a tractor-trailer, a pick-up and a motorcycle...more were involved in the wreck.

The Georgia Department of Transportation says the roadway is expected to be cleared at about 7 p.m., as police are continuing their investigation.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area.